Method of making metal containers



Feb. 28, 1933.

G. A. ROBINSON METHOD OF MAKING METAL CONTAINERS Fild March 51. 1952Patented Feb. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES GILBERT ALAN ROBINSON, FSUTTQN-ON-H'ULL, ENGLAND METHOD- or MAKING METAL CONTAINERS 7Application filed March 31, 1932, SerialNo. 602,381,'and in GreatBritain January 5, 1931.

This invention relates to cylindrical tapertopped cans, canisters andlike metal containers of the type wherein the upper part or top of thebody is of conical form, as distinguished from dome shaped, andaffords areduced outlet or neck. 1

It has previously been proposed to produce the domed upper portion orneck and the base of a sheet metal bottle or receptacle 10 by formingoverlapping corrugations at the end of a tubular body, and also toproduce bodies of sheet-meta1 barrels or like vessels by a stamping orpressing operation resulting in the formation of outwardly projecting 5wings which are subsequently flattened against and welded or otherwisesecured to the exterior surface of the vessel.

According to the invention the conical top and the wall of the body aremade integral by forming from one or more blanks a tubular body which isbrought to the desired shape by a series of longitudinal pleats or foldsbeing made therein at one end, and said pleats or folds are pressed overexternally or inwardly to secure the desired conical form.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet metal blank for the body ofthe can, canister or the like is rolled or otherwise formed into acylindrical tube and the adjacent edges seamed or otherwise securedtogether, whereupon that end of the tubular blank which is toconstitutethe upper part or coned top of the body is tapered by formingtherein a series of longitudinal pleats or folds appropriately spacedapart and each increasing in Width toward that edge which is toconstitute the outlet, the said folds or pleats being pressed orflattened over against the inner or outer face of the coned portion 0 soformed. The reduced outlet may be fitted with the usual pouring spout orneck rim, and a handle may be secured to the tapered upper part of thecan body, whilst a bottom would be secured on the opposite end of thebody in the usual manner.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, the same will now be more fully described withreference to and by the aid of the embodiment illustrated by way ofexample in the accompanying perspective drawing of the upper portion ofa cylindrical taper top can.

Referring to the drawing, the cylindrical can 1 is made by rolling orotherwise forming a tube of cylindrical cross-section from a blank andthen forming the coned upper part 2 by folding inwardly one end of thecylindrical tube at spaced points so as to afford four double andinwardly directed triangular flaps or Wings 3. This has the effect ofdrawing in the intermediate taper portions at the end of the cylindricaltube to attain the desired conical shape, whereupon the flaps or wings 3are flattened against the inner faces of the conical top, as shown, 9

and may be secured thereto by soldering or Welding. A pouring spout orneck 4 is then secured in position and a bottom (not shown) is securedto the opposite end of the body to complete the can.

Although the container has been described as made from a single blank itis obvious that the invention is applicable to containers formed fromtwo or more blanks, the blank or blanks forming the upper part of thebody being treated as described. i

I claim The method of making a metal container from a blank whichconsists in forming a cylindrical body from the blank, folding the upperportion of the body at spaced points inwardly to provide a conical topand. four inwardly extending triangular flaps, flattening the flapsagainst the inner face of the conical top, securing the flaps to thetop, and inserting a spout in the reduced end opening at the mouth ofthe top.

GILBERT ALAN ROBINSON.

